Awamu ya Pili

Awamu ya Pili - Nekta Iliyofungwa | Quran Course

Mfalme Negus wa Abyssinia (Ethiopia), jina lake lilikuwa Ashama bin Al-Abjar, alipokea ujumbe wa Mtume ﷺ, uliotumwa na Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari, ambao At-Tabari aliutaja, ama mwishoni mwa mwaka wa sita au mwanzoni mwa mwaka wa saba Hijria. Uchunguzi wa kina wa barua hiyo unaonyesha kwamba haikuwa ile iliyotumwa baada ya tukio la Al-Hudaibiyah. Maneno ya barua hiyo yanaonyesha zaidi kwamba ilitumwa kwa mfalme huyo wakati Ja‘far na wenzake walipohama kwenda Abyssinia (Ethiopia) katika kipindi cha Makka. Mojawapo ya sentensi zake ilisema: "Nimemtuma binamu yangu, Ja‘far, pamoja na kundi la Waislamu, kwako. Tafadhali wakaribishe kwa ukarimu na uache kiburi."

Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), his name was Ashama bin Al-Abjar, received the Prophet’s message, despatched by Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari, which At-Tabari referred to, either late in the sixth year or early in the seventh year A.H. Deep scrutiny into the letter shows that it was not the one sent after Al-Hudaibiyah event. Wording of the letter rather indicates that it was sent to that king when Ja‘far and his companions emigrated to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) during the Makkan period. One of its sentences read “I have despatched my cousin, Ja‘far with a group of Muslims, to you. Do be generous towards them and give up haughtiness.”.

Al-Bayhaqi, kwa mamlaka ya Ibn Ishaq, alitoa simulizi ifuatayo ya barua ya Mtume ﷺ aliyomtumia Negus:

Al-Baihaqi, on the authority of Ibn Ishaq, gave the following narration of the Prophet’s letter sent to Negus:

"Barua hii imetumwa na Muhammad ﷺ, Nabii, kwenda kwa Najashi Al-Ashama, mfalme wa Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Amani iwe juu ya yule anayefuata uongofu wa kweli na anayemwamini Allah na Mtume Wake. Ninashuhudia kwamba hakuna mungu isipokuwa Allah peke Yake, asiye na mshirika, Hajachukua mke wala mwana, na kwamba Muhammad ﷺ ni mja Wake na Mtume Wake. Ninakuita ujiunge na zizi la Uislamu; ukikubali Uislamu, utapata usalama."

“This letter is sent from Muhammad, the Prophet to Negus Al-Ashama, the king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Peace be upon him who follows true guidance and believes in Allâh and His Messenger. I bear witness that there is no god but Allâh Alone with no associate, He has taken neither a wife nor a son, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. I call you unto the fold of Islam; if you embrace Islam, you will find safety.

“Sema: [Ee Muhammad ﷺ]: ‘Enyi watu wa Kitabu (Mayahudi na Wakristo), njooni kwenye neno lililo sawa kati yetu na ninyi, kwamba hatumwabudu yeyote isipokuwa Allah, na kwamba hatumshirikishi chochote naye, na kwamba hakuna miongoni mwetu atakayewafanya wengine kuwa miungu badala ya Allah.’ Kisha, wakigeuka, sema: ‘Shuhudieni kwamba sisi ni Waislamu.’ ” [3:64] Mkikataa mwaliko huu, basi mtawajibishwa kwa maovu yote ya Wakristo wa watu wenu.”

• “Say [O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ ” [3:64] Should you reject this invitation, then you will be held responsible for all the evils of the Christians of your people.”.

Dkt. Hameedullah (Paris), mthibitishaji wa kuaminika, ameleta toleo la barua iliyotajwa hapo juu ambalo limefichuliwa hivi karibuni tu na linafanana kabisa na simulizi ya Ibn Al-Qaiyim. Dkt. Hameedullah alifanya juhudi kubwa sana na kutumia njia zote za teknolojia ya kisasa ili kuthibitisha maandishi ya barua hiyo, ambayo yanasomeka kama ifuatavyo:

Dr. Hameedullah (Paris), a reliable verifier, has adduced a version of the above letter disclosed only a short time ago and identical to Ibn Al-Qaiyim’s narration. Dr. Hameedullah exerted painstaking effort and used all means of modern technology to verify the text of the letter, which reads as follows:

Kwa jina la Allah, Mwingi wa rehema, Mwenye kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh,the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muhammad, Mjumbe wa Allah, kwenda kwa Najashi, mfalme wa Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Amani ya Allah iwe juu yake ﷺ ambaye anafuata uongofu wa kweli. Salamu. Ninamsifu Allah, hakuna Mungu isipokuwa Yeye, Mfalme, Mtakatifu, Chanzo cha amani, Mtoaji wa amani, Mlinzi wa imani, Mwangalizi wa usalama. Nashuhudia kwamba Yesu, mwana wa Mariamu, ni roho ya Allah na Neno Lake alilomtupia Mariamu, bikira, mwema, safi, hata akachukua mimba ya Yesu. Allah alimuumba kutokana na Roho Yake na pumzi Yake, kama alivyomuumba Adamu kwa Mkono Wake. Ninakuita kwa Allah peke Yake, bila mshirika, na kwa utii Kwake, na kukifuata ninachokifuata na kuamini yale yaliyonijia, kwa kuwa mimi ni Mjumbe wa Allah. Ninakualika wewe na watu wako kwa Allah, Mtukufu, Mwenye Enzi Kuu. Kwa hivyo nashuhudia kwamba nimefikisha ujumbe wangu na nasaha zangu. Ninakualika usikilize na upokee nasaha zangu. Amani iwe juu yake ﷺ ambaye anafuata uongofu wa kweli.

From Muhammad the Messenger of Allâh to Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Salutations, I entertain Allâh’s praise, there is no god but He, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of peace, the Giver of peace, the Guardian of faith, the Preserver of safety. I bear witness that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the spirit of Allâh and His Word which He cast into Mary, the virgin, the good, the pure, so that she conceived Jesus. Allâh created him from His spirit and His breathing as He created Adam by His Hand. I call you to Allâh Alone with no associate and to His obedience and to follow me and to believe in that which came to me, for I am the Messenger of Allâh. I invite you and your men to Allâh, the Glorious, the All-Mighty. I hereby bear witness that I have communicated my message and advice. I invite you to listen and accept my advice. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance.”.

Maandishi ya barua hii bila shaka ni halisi, lakini kudai kwamba iliandikwa baada ya tukio la Al-Hudaibiyah bado ni jambo lisilo na ushahidi wa uhakika. ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari alipompelekea Negus barua ya Mtume ﷺ, Negus alichukua karatasi hiyo akaiweka juu ya jicho lake, akashuka kutoka kwenye kiti chake hadi chini, akakiri imani yake katika Uislamu, kisha akamwandikia Mtume ﷺ jibu lifuatalo.

The text of this letter is doubtlessly authentic, but to maintain that it was written after Al-Hudaibiyah event is still a question lacking in definite evidence. When ‘Amr bin Omaiyah Ad-Damari communicated the Apostolic letter to Negus, the latter took the parchment and placed it on his eye, descended to the floor, confessed his faith in Islam and wrote the following reply to the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Negus Ashama kwa Muhammad, Mjumbe wa Allah. Amani iwe juu yako, Ee Mjumbe wa Allah! na rehema na baraka za Allah, ambaye hakuna mungu isipokuwa Yeye. Nimepokea barua yako ambamo umetaja habari ya Isa, na kwa Mola wa mbingu na ardhi, Isa si zaidi ya kile unachosema. Tunakubali kikamilifu yale ambayo umetumwa nayo kwetu, na tumewakaribisha binamu yako na wenzake. Ninashuhudia kwamba wewe ni Mjumbe wa Allah, mkweli na mwenye kuthibitisha (waliotangulia kabla yako). Ninakuapia kupitia binamu yako, na najisalimisha kupitia yeye kwa Mola wa viumbe vyote.

From Negus Ashama to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh. Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allâh! and mercy and blessing from Allâh beside Whom there is no god. I have received your letter in which you have mentioned about Jesus and by the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus is not more than what you say. We fully acknowledge that with which you have been sent to us and we have entertained your cousin and his companions. I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allâh, true and confirming (those who have gone before you), I pledge to you through your cousin and surrender myself through him to the Lord of the worlds.”.

Mtume (ﷺ) alimwomba Negus awarudishe Ja‘far na wenzake, Muhajirina waliohamia Abyssinia (Ethiopia), warudi nyumbani. Walirudi kumwona Mtume (ﷺ) huko Khaibar. Baadaye Negus alifariki dunia mwezi wa Rajab mwaka wa 9 A.H., muda mfupi baada ya Ghazwa ya Tabuk. Mtume (ﷺ) alitangaza kifo chake na akamswalia sala ya gaibu. Mfalme mwingine alirithi kiti cha ufalme baada ya Negus, na Mtume (ﷺ) alimtumia barua nyingine, lakini bado haijajulikana kama alisilimu au la.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) had asked Negus to send Ja‘far and his companions, the emigrants to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), back home. They came back to see the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in Khaibar. Negus later died in Rajab 9 A.H. shortly after Tabuk Ghazwa. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) announced his death and observed prayer in absentia for him. Another king succeeded Negus to the throne and another letter was sent to him by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) but whether or not he embraced Islam is still a question not answered yet.

Mtume ﷺ alimwandikia Juraij bin Matta, aliyeitwa Muqawqas, mtawala wa Misri na Iskanderia, akisema:

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) wrote to Juraij bin Matta, called Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt and Alexandria saying:

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muhammad, mtumwa wa Allah na Mtume Wake, kwenda kwa Muqawqas, mtawala wa Misri. Amani iwe juu ya yule anayefuata uongofu wa kweli. Baada ya hayo, ninakualika ukubali Uislamu. Kwa hiyo, ukitaka usalama, kubali Uislamu. Ukikubali Uislamu, Allah, Aliye Tukufu, atakulipa thawabu mara mbili. Lakini ukikataa kufanya hivyo, utabeba mzigo wa dhambi ya Wakopti wote. • "Sema [Ewe Muhammad ﷺ]: 'Enyi watu wa Kitabu (Mayahudi na Wakristo), njooni kwenye neno lililo sawa baina yetu na ninyi, kwamba hatumwabudu yeyote isipokuwa Allah, na kwamba hatumshirikishi na chochote, na kwamba hakuna miongoni mwetu atakayewafanya wengine kuwa miungu badala ya Allah.' Kisha wakikengeuka, sema: 'Shuhudieni kwamba sisi ni Waislamu.'" [3:64].

From Muhammad slave of Allâh and His Messenger to Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Thereafter, I invite you to accept Islam. Therefore, if you want security, accept Islam. If you accept Islam, Allâh, the Sublime, shall reward you doubly. But if you refuse to do so, you will bear the burden of the transgression of all the Copts. • “Say [O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh.’ Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ ” [3:64].

Hatib bin Abi Balta‘a, aliyechaguliwa kufikisha ujumbe, aliomba kuonana na Muqawqas kabla ya kufikisha yaliyomo katika barua. Alimwambia mtawala wa Misri: "Kulikuwa na mtu kabla yako aliyejidai hadhi ya Mola Mlezi Mkuu, basi Allah akamchukulia hatua na kumfanya mfano wa onyo, katika Akhera na katika maisha haya; kwa hiyo, jifunze kutokana na hilo, wala usiweke mfano mbaya kwa wengine." Muqawqas akajibu: "Hatuko katika nafasi ya kuacha dini yetu isipokuwa kwa dini iliyo bora zaidi." Hatib akaendelea: "Tunakualika ukubali Uislamu, ambao utakutosheleza kwa yale yote unayoweza kupoteza. Nabii wetu amewaita watu kuikiri Imani hii; Quraishi na Mayahudi walisimama dhidi yake kama maadui wakali, ilhali Wakristo walikuwa karibu zaidi na wito wake. Naapa kwa uhai wangu, habari ya Musa kuhusu Kristo inafanana na bishara njema ya Kristo kuhusu kuja kwa Muhammad ﷺ; vivyo hivyo, mwaliko wetu huu kwako wa kukubali Uislamu unafanana na mwaliko wako kwa watu wa Torati wa kukubali Agano Jipya. Nabii anapoinuka katika taifa, anastahili kupokelewa kwa mwitikio chanya, hivyo nanyi mko chini ya Sheria ile ile ya Mungu. Fahamuni kwamba hatujaja kukuzuia kutoka dini ya Kristo, bali kukuhimiza kushikamana na kanuni zake." Muqawqas alitafakari yaliyomo katika barua kwa kina, akasema: "Nimefikia imani kwamba Nabii huyu haamuru jambo lolote ovu; yeye si mchawi aliyepotea wala mtabiri mwongo. Anabeba dalili za wazi za Utume wa kweli, kwa hiyo nitalitafakari jambo hili kwa makini." Akachukua karatasi hiyo, akaamuru ihifadhiwe katika kisanduku cha pembe za ndovu. Akamwita mwandishi aandike jibu lifuatalo kwa Kiarabu.

Hatib bin Abi Balta‘a, who was chosen to communicate the message, requested an audience with Muqawqas before imparting the contents of the letter. He addressed Egypt’s vicegerent saying: “There used to be someone before you who had arrogated the status of the Supreme Lord, so Allâh puhim and made an example of him in the Hereafter, and in this life; therefore, take warning and never set a bad example to others.” Muqawqas answered: “We are in no position to relinquish our religion except for a better one.” Hatib resumed: “We invite you to embrace Islam, which will suffice you all what you may lose. Our Prophet has called people to profess this Faith, Quraish and the Jews stood against him as bitter enemies, whereas Christians stood closest to his Call. Upon my life, Moses’s news about Christ is identical to the latter’s good tidings about the advent of Muhammad; likewise, this invitation of ours to you to embrace Islam is similar to your invitation to the people of Torah to accept the New Testament. Once a Prophet rises in a nation, he is eligible for positive response, hence you are subject to the same Divine Law. Bear in mind that we have not come to dissuade you from religion of Christ but rather bidding you to adhere to its tenets.” Muqawqas meditated over the contents of the letter deeply and said: “I have come to the conviction that this Prophet bids nothing abominable; he is neither a straying magician nor a lying soothsayer. He bears the true manifest seeds of Prophethood, and so I will consider the affair deeply.” He took the parchment and ordered that it be kept in an ivory casket. He called a scribe to write the following reply in Arabic:

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muqawqas kwenda kwa Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah ﷺ:

From Muqawqas to Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah:

Amani iwe juu yako. Nimesoma barua yako na nimeelewa yaliyomo ndani yake, pamoja na mwito wako. Ninajua tayari kwamba kuja kwa Nabii bado kunatarajiwa, lakini nilikuwa nikiamini kwamba atazaliwa Syria. Ninakutumia kama zawadi wajakazi wawili, wanaotoka katika familia tukufu za Kikopti; nguo na farasi wa kupandia. Amani iwe juu yako.

Peace be upon you. I have read your letter and understood its contents, and what you are calling for. I already know that the coming of a Prophet is still due, but I used to believe he would be born in Syria. I am sending you as presents two maids, who come from noble Coptic families; clothing and a steed for riding on. Peace be upon you.”.

Inastahili kutajwa kwamba Muqawqas hakutumia fursa hii ya thamani kubwa na hakusilimu. Zawadi zilipokelewa; Maria, mjakazi wa kwanza, alibaki kwa Mtume ﷺ, na akamzalia mwanawe Ibrahim; mwingine, Sirin, alipewa Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari.

It is noteworthy that Muqawqas did not avail himself of this priceless opportunity and he did not embrace Islam. The presents were accepted; Maria, the first maid, stayed with the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and gave birth to his son Ibrahîm; the other Sirin, was given to Hassan bin Thabit Al-Ansari.

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu. Kutoka kwa Muhammad ﷺ, Mjumbe wa Allah, kwenda kwa Kisra, mfalme wa Persia.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh to Chosroes, king of Persia.

Amani iwe juu ya yule anayefuata uongofu wa kweli, anayemwamini Allah na Mtume Wake, na anayeshuhudia kwamba hakuna mungu isipokuwa Allah peke Yake, asiye na mshirika, na kwamba Muhammad ni mja Wake na Mtume Wake ﷺ. Ninakualika ukubali dini ya Allah. Mimi ni Mtume wa Allah niliyetumwa kwa watu wote ili nipandikize khofu ya Allah ndani ya kila kiumbe hai, na ili hoja ithibitike dhidi ya wale wanaokataa haki. Ukubali Uislamu kuwa dini yako ili uishi kwa amani; la sivyo, utabeba dhambi zote za Wamajusi.

Peace be upon him who follows true guidance, believes in Allâh and His Messenger and testifies that there is no god but Allâh Alone with no associate, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. I invite you to accept the religion of Allâh. I am the Messenger of Allâh sent to all people in order that I may infuse fear of Allâh in every living person, and that the charge may be proved against those who reject the Truth. Accept Islam as your religion so that you may live in security, otherwise, you will be responsible for all the sins of the Magians.”.

‘Abdullah bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi alichaguliwa kubeba barua hiyo. Mjumbe huyu aliipeleka kwa mfalme wa Bahrain, lakini bado hatujui kama huyo mfalme alimtuma kwa Chosroes kupitia mmoja wa watu wake, au kama alimchagua ‘Abdullah mwenyewe.

‘Abdullah bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi was chosen to carry the letter. This envoy carried it to the king of Bahrain but we do not know as yet if the latter despatched to Chosroes by one of his men or chose ‘Abdullah himself.

Mfalme mwenye kiburi alikasirishwa na mtindo wa barua hiyo kwa sababu jina la Nabii ﷺ lilikuwa limewekwa juu ya jina lake mwenyewe. Alichana barua vipande vipande, mara akatoa amri kwa liwali wake huko Yemen ampelekee wapiganaji wawili wamkamate Nabii ﷺ na kumleta mbele yake. Gavana, aliyeitwa Bazan, mara moja alituma watu wawili Madina kwa kusudi hilo. Mara tu watu hao walipofika Madina, Nabii ﷺ alijulishwa kwa Wahyi wa Mwenyezi Mungu kwamba Pervez, mfalme wa Uajemi, alikuwa ameuawa na mwanawe. Nabii ﷺ aliwaeleza habari hiyo, nao walishangaa sana. Aliongeza akiwaomba waambie mfalme wao mpya kwamba Uislamu utashinda kila mahali na utazidi hata utawala wa Khosrow mwenyewe. Walirudi kwa haraka kwa Bazan na kumweleza aliyoyasikia. Wakati huo huo, Sherweh, mfalme mpya, alimtumia Bazan barua akithibitisha habari hiyo na kumwamuru asimamishe taratibu zote kuhusu Nabii ﷺ hadi atakapotoa amri nyingine. Bazan, pamoja na Waajemi waliokuwa Yemen, waliingia katika Uislamu, na kwa furaha walitangaza kukubali kwao Nabii ﷺ.

The proud monarch was enraged by the style of the letter as the name of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had been put above his own name. He tore the letter into shreds and forthwith dictated a command to his viceroy in Yemen to send a couple of troopers to arrest the Prophet and bring him to his presence. The governor, Bazan by name, immediately sent two men to Madinah for the purpose. As soon as the men reached Madinah, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was informed by a Divine Revelation that Pervez, the emperor of Persia, had been murdered by his son. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) disclosed to them the news and they were stunned. He added asking them to tell their new monarch that Islam would prevail everywhere and outstrip the sovereignty of Chosroes himself. They hurried back to Bazan and communicated to him what they heard. Meanwhile, Sherweh, the new monarch sent a letter to Bazan confirming the news and bidding him to stop any procedures as regards the Prophet till further notice. Bazan, together with the Persians in Yemen, went into the folds of Islam, and gladly signified his adhesion to the Prophet.

Al-Bukhari ametoa simulizi ndefu ya maudhui ya barua aliyotuma Mtume ﷺ kwa Hiraqli, mfalme wa Wabyzantini:

Al-Bukhari gave a long narration of the contents of the letter sent by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to Hercules, king of the Byzantines:

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muhammad, mtumwa wa Allah na Mjumbe Wake, kwenda kwa Heraklio, mfalme wa Wabyzantine. Heri wale wanaofuata uongofu wa kweli. Ninakualika uukubali Uislamu ili uishi kwa amani. Ukiingia katika zizi la Uislamu, Allah atakupa thawabu mara mbili, lakini ukiigeuzia mgongo, basi mzigo wa dhambi za watu wako wote utakuwa juu ya mabega yako.

From Muhammad, the slave of Allâh and His Messenger to Hercules, king of the Byzantines. Blessed are those who follow true guidance. I invite you to embrace Islam so that you may live in security. If you come within the fold of Islam, Allâh will give you double reward, but in case you turn your back upon it, then the burden of the sins of all your people shall fall on your shoulders.

• “Sema: [Ewe Muhammad ﷺ]: ‘Enyi watu wa Kitabu (Mayahudi na Wakristo), njooni kwenye neno lililo sawa kati yetu na ninyi, kwamba hatumwabudu yeyote isipokuwa Allah, na kwamba hatumshirikishi Yeye chochote, na kwamba hakuna miongoni mwetu atakayewafanya wengine kuwa miungu badala ya Allah.’ Kisha, wakikataa, sema: ‘Shuhudieni kwamba sisi ni Waislamu.’ ” [3:64].

Balozi wa Kiislamu, Dihyah bin Khalifah Al-Kalbi, aliamriwa amkabidhi barua mfalme wa Busra, ambaye naye angeipeleka kwa Kaisari.

The Muslim envoy, Dihyah bin Khalifah Al-Kalbi, was ordered to hand the letter over to king of Busra, who would in turn, send it to Caesar.

Kwa bahati, Abu Sufyan bin Harb, ambaye wakati huo hakuwa ameingia Uislamu, aliitwa mahakamani, na Hercules akamuuliza maswali mengi kuhusu Muhammad ﷺ na dini aliyokuwa akiihubiri. Ushuhuda ambao adui huyu aliyejitangaza wa Mtume ﷺ alitoa kuhusu ubora wa tabia ya Mtume ﷺ binafsi, na kuhusu mema ambayo Uislamu ulikuwa ukiyatendea jamii ya binadamu, ulimfanya Hercules ashangae sana.

Incidentally, Abu Sufyan bin Harb, who by that time had not embraced Islam, was summoned to the court and Hercules asked him many questions about Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the religion which he preached. The testimony which this avowed enemy of the Prophet gave regarding the personal excellence of the Prophet’s character and the good that Islam was doing the human race, left Hercules wonder-struck.

Al-Bukhari, kwa mamlaka ya Ibn Abbas, alisimulia kwamba Heraclius alimtuma aende kumchukua Abu Sufyan na wenzake, ambao walikuwa wakifanya biashara huko Ash-Sham, Yerusalemu. Hilo lilikuwa wakati wa mapatano yaliyokuwa yamefikiwa kati ya washirikina wa Quraish na Mtume wa Allah ﷺ. Heraclius, akiwa ameketi miongoni mwa maafisa wake wakuu, aliuliza, "Ni nani kati yenu aliye jamaa wa karibu zaidi kwa mtu anayedai kuwa Nabii?" "Mimi (Abu Sufyan) nilijibu: 'Mimi ndiye jamaa wa karibu zaidi kwake miongoni mwa kundi hili.' Basi wakaniweka mbele yake, na wenzangu wakaketi nyuma yangu. Kisha akamwita mkalimani wake na kumwambia: 'Waambie (yaani wenzake Abu Sufyan) kwamba nitamuuliza (yaani Abu Sufyan) kuhusu mtu huyu anayedai kuwa Nabii. Ikiwa atasema uongo, basi wamkanushe mara moja'. Kwa Allah, kama nisingeogopa kwamba wenzangu wangenichukulia kuwa mwongo, ningesema uongo," Abu Sufyan alisema baadaye. Ushuhuda wa Abu Sufyan ulikuwa hivi: "Muhammad anatoka katika ukoo mtukufu. Hakuna mtu wa ukoo wake aliyewahi kuwa mfalme. Wafuasi wake ni wale wanaodhaniwa kuwa dhaifu, na idadi yao inaongezeka daima. Hasemi uongo wala kuwasaliti wengine. Sisi tunapigana naye, naye anapigana nasi, lakini ushindi unabadilishana. Anawaamuru watu wamwabudu Allah Peke Yake, pasipo mshirika, na waache imani za baba zetu. Anatuamuru tuswali, tuwe wakweli, tujiepushe na maovu na tudumishe mahusiano mema ya kifamilia." "Heraclius, aliposikia ushuhuda huu, aligeukia mkalimani wake akimtaka awasilishe kwetu maoni yake yafuatayo, yanayoonyesha imani kamili katika ukweli wa Unabii wa Muhammad ﷺ: 'Ninafahamu kikamilifu kwamba Manabii hutoka katika koo tukufu; yeye haonyeshi mfano wowote wa Unabii uliotangulia. Kwa kuwa hakuna mmoja wa mababu zake aliyekuwa mfalme, hatuwezi kusema kwamba ni mtu anayejaribu kurejesha ufalme wa baba yake. Mradi yeye hasemi uongo kwa watu, basi kwa sababu zaidi, hawezi kusema uongo kuhusu Allah. Kuhusu wafuasi wake kuwa ni wale wanaodhaniwa kuwa dhaifu kwa idadi, na idadi yao ikiendelea kuongezeka, hilo linaendana na mambo ya Imani mpaka hii ya mwisho ifikie upeo wake kamili kijiografia na kidemografia. Nimefahamu kwamba hakuna kisa chochote cha kuritadi kilichojitokeza hadi sasa miongoni mwa wafuasi wake, na hili linaashiria baraka ya Imani inayoishi moyoni mwa binadamu. Usaliti, kama ninavyoona, ni mgeni kwake kwa sababu Manabii wa kweli huuchukia usaliti. Kuamrisha ibada ya Allah pekee bila kumshirikisha, kutekeleza Sala, uaminifu na kujizuia, na kukataza ushirikina ni tabia zinazonifanya niamini kwamba mali yangu yote inamtii yeye. Nilikwisha kujua kwamba Nabii lazima atokee, lakini haijawahi kunijia akilini kwamba atakuwa Mwarabu kutoka miongoni mwenu. Kama ningekuwa na uhakika kwamba ningekuwa mwaminifu kwake, ningeweza kutumaini kukutana naye, na kama ningekuwa pamoja naye, ningeosha miguu yake." Kisha Hercules akaomba barua ya Nabii isomwe. Maoni ya mfalme na hatimaye maelezo ya wazi na yenye uhakika ya ujumbe wa Kiislamu bila shaka yalizua mazingira ya wasiwasi miongoni mwa makasisi waliokuwepo mahakamani. Tuliamriwa kutoka nje. Abu Sufyan alisema, "Nilipokuwa nikitoka, nilisema kwa wenzangu, 'Jambo la Ibn Abi Kabshah [yaani Muhammad ﷺ] limekuwa maarufu kiasi kwamba hata mfalme wa Banu Al-Asfar (yaani Warumi) anamuogopa.' Basi nikaendelea kuamini kwamba Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ atashinda, hadi Allah aliponifanya nisilimu." Mfalme hakusilimu, kwa kuwa ilikuwa imepangwa vingine. Hata hivyo, mjumbe wa Kiislamu alirudishwa Madina akiwa na pongezi za mfalme.

Akiwa njiani kurudi Madina, Dihyah Al-Kalbi alizuiwa na watu wa kabila la Judham huko Hasmi, ambao waliteka zawadi zilizotumwa kwa Mtume ﷺ. Zaid bin Haritha, akiwa kiongozi wa watu mia tano, alitumwa mahali hapo; aliwasababishia watu hao hasara kubwa na kuwateka ngamia 1000, ng'ombe 5000 wao, na wanawake na wavulana mia moja. Mkuu wa Judham aliyekuwa amesilimu aliwasilisha malalamiko kwa Mtume ﷺ, ambaye alikubali malalamiko ya huyo mkuu, akaamuru kwamba mateka wote na nyara zote zirudishwe.

On his way back to Madinah, Dihyah Al-Kalbi was intercepted by people from Judham tribe in Hasmi, who looted the presents sent to the Prophet(Peace be upon him). Zaid bin Haritha at the head of five hundred men was despatched to that spot, inflicted heavy losses on those people and captured 1000 camels, 5000 of their cattle and a hundred women and boys. The chief of Judham who had embraced Islam filed a complaint with the Prophet, who gave a positive response to the former’s protest, and ordered that all the spoils and captives be returned.

Mtume ﷺ alimtuma 'Al-'Ala' bin Al-Hadrami kwa gavana wa Bahrain, akiwa amebeba barua ya kumwalika kuingia katika Uislamu. Kwa kujibu, Al-Mundhir bin Sawa aliandika barua ifuatayo:

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) despatched ‘Al-‘Ala’ bin Al-Hadrami to the governor of Bahrain, carrying a letter inviting him to embrace Islam. In reply, Al-Mundhir bin Sawa wrote the following letter:

“Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ! Nimepokea amri zako. Kabla ya hili nilisoma barua yako uliyowaandikia watu wa Bahrain, ukiwaalika kuingia katika Uislamu. Uislamu uliwavutia baadhi yao, nao wakaingia katika jumuiya ya Waislamu, wengine hawakuona kuwa unawavutia. Katika nchi yangu wanaishi Wamajusi na Mayahudi, basi nielekeze jinsi ya kuwatendea.”

“Allâh’s Messenger (Peace be upon him)! I received your injunctions. Prior to this, I read your letter, which you wrote to the people of Bahrain extending to them an invitation to Islam. Islam appealed to some of them and they entered the fold of Islam, while others did not find it appealing. In my country, there live Magians and Jews, and therefore you may inform me of the treatment to be extended to them.”.

Mtume ﷺ aliandika barua ifuatayo kwa kujibu barua yake:

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) wrote the following letter in reply to his:

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muhammad, Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ, kwenda kwa Mundhir bin Sawa. Amani iwe juu yako! Namhimidi Allah, Asiye na mshirika, na nashuhudia kwamba Muhammad ni mja Wake na Mjumbe Wake ﷺ.

From Muhammad, Messenger of Allâh to Mundhir bin Sawa. Peace be on you! I praise Allâh with no associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Kisha, nakukumbusha juu ya Allah, Mwenye nguvu, Mtukufu. Yeyote anayekubali mawaidha, anafanya hivyo kwa manufaa yake mwenyewe. Yeyote anayefuata wajumbe wangu na kutenda kwa mujibu wa mwongozo wao, basi, kwa kweli, anakubali ushauri wangu.

Thereafter, I remind you of Allâh, the Mighty, the Glorious. Whoever accepts admonition, does it for his own good. Whoever follows my messengers and acts in accordance with their guidance, he, in fact, accepts my advice.

"Wajumbe wangu wamesifu sana mwenendo wako. Utaendelea na wadhifa wako wa sasa. Wape Waislamu wapya nafasi kamili ya kuhubiri dini yao. Nakubali pendekezo lako kuhusu watu wa Bahrain, na nawasamehe makosa wakosaji; kwa hiyo, nawe pia unaweza kuwasamehe. Miongoni mwa watu wa Bahrain, yeyote anayetaka kuendelea na imani yake ya Kiyahudi au ya Kimajusi, anapaswa kulipa Jizya (kodi ya kichwa)."

My messengers have highly praised your behaviour. You shall continue in your present office. Give the new Muslims full chance to preach their religion. I accept your recommendation regarding the people of Bahrain, and I pardon the offences of the offenders; therefore, you may also forgive them. Of the people of Bahrain whoever wants to go on in their Jewish or Magian faith, should be made to pay Jizya (poll-tax).”

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muhammad, Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ, kwenda kwa Haudha bin ‘Ali:

From Muhammad, Messenger of Allâh to Haudha bin ‘Ali:

Amani iwe juu ya yule anayefuata uongofu wa kweli. Ujue kwamba dini yangu itatawala kila mahali. Ni lazima ukubali Uislamu, na chochote kilicho chini ya amri yako kitabaki kuwa chako.” Mjumbe aliyechaguliwa alikuwa Sulait bin ‘Amr Al-‘Amiri, ambaye baada ya kufikisha ujumbe wake, alirudi na jibu lifuatalo kwa Mtume ﷺ:

Peace be upon him who follows true guidance. Be informed that my religion shall prevail everywhere. You should accept Islam, and whatever under your command shall remain yours.” The envoy chosen was Sulait bin ‘Amr Al-‘Amiri, who after communicating his message, carried back the following reply to the Prophet (Peace be upon him):

"Imani ambayo unaniita kwayo ni nzuri sana. Mimi ni mzungumzaji na mshairi maarufu, Waarabu wananiheshimu sana na mimi ni mtu wa heshima miongoni mwao. Ukinijumuisha katika serikali yako, niko tayari kukufuata."

“The Faith, to which you invite me, is very good. I am a famous orator and poet, the Arabs highly respect me and I am of account among them. If you include me in your government, I am prepared to follow you.”.

Kisha gavana alimpa Sulait zawadi na akampa nguo zilizotengenezwa kwa kitambaa cha Hajr. Bila shaka, yeye aliweka zawadi hizo zote chini ya amana ya Mtume ﷺ.

The governor then bestowed a reward on Sulait and presented him with clothes made of Hajr fabric. Of course, he put all those presents in the trust of the Prophet (Peace be upon him):

Nabii (Mtume) hakukubali ombi la Haudha. Mara nyingi alikataa aina hiyo ya kauli ya kiburi, na angesema kwamba jambo lote liko mikononi mwa Allah, anayetoa ardhi yake kwa yeyote amtakaye. Baadaye Jibril alimletea Wahyi kwamba Haudha amekufa. Nabii ﷺ, alipotoa maoni yake kuhusu habari hiyo, alisema: "Yamama itazaa mwongo atakayejidai kuwa Nabii, lakini baadaye atauawa." Alipoulizwa kuhusu mtu atakayemuua, Nabii ﷺ alisema: "Ni mmoja wenu, enyi wafuasi wa Uislamu."

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) did not accept Haudha’s demand. He usually turned down such peremptory tone, and would say that the whole matter was in the Hand of Allâh, Who gave His land to whoever He desired. Gabriel later came with the Revelation that Haudha had died. The Prophet (Peace be upon him), in the context of his comment on this news, said: “Yamama is bound to give rise to a liar who will arrogate Prophethood to himself but he will subsequently be killed.” In reply to a question relating to the identity of the killer, the Prophet said “It is one of you, followers of Islam.”

Kwa Jina la Allah, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu.

“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Kutoka kwa Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah kwenda kwa Jaifer na ‘Abd Al-Jalandi. Amani iwe juu ya yule anayefuata uongofu wa kweli. Baada ya hayo, nawaalika nyote wawili katika Wito wa Uislamu. Ingieni katika Uislamu. Allah amenituma kama Nabii kwa viumbe vyake vyote, ili niwatie hofu ya Allah mioyoni mwa viumbe vyake wasiomtii, ili wasibaki na udhuru wowote wale wanaomkana Allah. Mkikubali Uislamu, mtabaki kuwa watawala wa nchi yenu; lakini mkikataa wito wangu, mnapaswa kukumbuka kwamba mali zenu zote ni za kupita. Wapanda farasi wangu wataichukua ardhi yenu, na Unabii wangu utashinda ufalme wenu." ‘Amr bin Al-’As, aliyechaguliwa kubeba barua hiyo, alisimulia hadithi ifuatayo iliyotokea kabla ya kuruhusiwa kuingia mbele ya Jaifer.

From Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah to Jaifer and ‘Abd Al-Jalandi. Peace be upon him who follows true guidance; thereafter I invite both of you to the Call of Islam. Embrace Islam. Allâh has sent me as a Prophet to all His creatures in order that I may instil fear of Allâh in the hearts of His disobedient creatures so that there may be left no excuse for those who deny Allâh. If you two accept Islam, you will remain in command of your country; but if you refuse my Call, you’ve got to remember that all your possessions are perishable. My horsemen will appropriate your land, and my Prophethood will assume preponderance over your kingship.” ‘Amr bin Al-’As, who was chosen to carry the letter, narrated the following story that happened before he was admitted into the audience of Jaifer.

“Nilipofika ‘Omani nilimwendea ‘Abd, aliyejulikana kuwa mpole zaidi kuliko kaka yake: mimi ‘Amr: Mimi ni mjumbe wa Mtume wa Allah ﷺ ninayekuja kuwaona nyote wawili, wewe na kaka yako. ‘Abd: Lazima umwone kaka yangu na umsomee barua unayoibeba. Yeye ni mkubwa kwangu kwa umri na kwa ufalme. Pia, madhumuni ya ujumbe wako ni yapi? ‘Amr: Mtume ﷺ anakuita uamini kwamba Allah ni Mmoja Peke Yake asiye na mshirika, uache miungu mingine yote, na ushuhudie utumwa wa Muhammad ﷺ na Utume wake. ‘Abd: Ee ‘Amr! Wewe unatokana na familia tukufu, lakini kwanza niambie, baba yako alikuwa na msimamo gani kuhusu Dini hii? Unajua, sisi tulikuwa tukifuata nyayo zake. ‘Amr: Mauti yalimfikia kabla hajaamini utume wa Muhammad ﷺ; sasa natamani angesilimu na kuwa mkweli kwake kabla ya kufa kwake. Mimi mwenyewe nilikuwa na msimamo huo huo hadi Allah aliponiongoza kwenye Uislamu.”

“When I arrived in ‘Oman I contacted ‘Abd, who was known to be more mild-tempered than his brother: l ‘Amr: I am the messenger of Allâh’s Prophet coming to see both, you and your brother. ‘Abd: You have to see my brother and read to him the letter you are carrying. He is my senior in both age and kingship. Incidentally, what is the purport of your mission? ‘Amr: The Prophet calls upon you to believe in Allâh Alone with no associate, discard any other deities and testify to the slavehood and Messengership of Muhammad. ‘Abd: O ‘Amr! You come from a noble family, but first of all, tell me what was your father’s attitude concerning this Faith? You know, we used to follow his steps. ‘Amr: Death overtook him before believing in Muhammad’s mission; I wish now he had embraced Islam and been truthful to it before his death. I myself had adopted the same attitude until Allâh guided me towards Islam.

‘Abd: Umesilimu lini?

‘Abd: When did you embrace Islam?.

‘Amr: Nilipokuwa katika mahakama ya Negus. Kwa njia, Negus naye aliingia katika kundi la Uislamu.

‘Amr: When I was at Negus’s court. By the way, the latter did also enter into the fold of Islam.

ʿAbd: Watu wake walikuwa na mwitikio gani? ʿAmr: Waliidhinisha, wakamfuata na kufuata nyayo zake.

‘Abd: What was his people’s reaction?. ‘Amr: They approved of him and followed his steps.

‘Abd: Maaskofu na watawa?

‘Abd: The bishops and monks?.

'Amr: Wao walifanya vivyo hivyo.

‘Amr: They did the same.

‘Abd: Jihadhari, ‘Amr, na uongo, kwani huo hufichua mtu haraka.

‘Abd: Beware ‘Amr of lying for this soon betrays man.

‘Amr: Sisemi uongo kamwe; zaidi ya hayo, dini yetu hairuhusu hilo kamwe.

‘Amr: I never tell lies; moreover, our religion never allows it.

‘Abd: Je, Heraklius ameshajulishwa kuhusu Uislamu wa Najashi?

‘Abd: Has Hercules been informed of the Islamization of Negus?.

ʿAmr: Ndiyo, hakika. ʿAbd: Ulijuaje hilo?

‘Amr: Yes, of course. ‘Abd: How did you happen to know that?.

‘Amr: Negus alikuwa akilipa kodi ya ardhi kwa Hercules, lakini alipokubali Uislamu, aliapa kwamba atasitisha kodi hiyo. Habari hizi zilipomfikia Hercules, washauri wake walimsihi achukue hatua dhidi ya Negus, lakini alikataa na akaongeza kwamba yeye mwenyewe angefanya vivyo hivyo kama asingekuwa anahofia ufalme wake.

‘Amr: Negus used to pay land tax to Hercules, but when the former embraced Islam, he swore he would discontinue that tax. When this news reached Hercules, his courtiers urged him to take action against Negus but he refused and added that he himself would do the same if he were not sparing of his kingship.

‘Abd: Je, Pexhort inakuamuru ufanye nini?

‘Abd: What does your Pexhort you to do?.

‘Amr: Anatuhimiza tumtii Allah, Mwenye Nguvu Zote, Mwenye Utukufu Mkuu, tumche Mungu na kudumisha mahusiano mema na jamaa wa familia; anakataza kutotii, uchokozi, zinaa, pombe, ushirikina na kuabudu msalaba.

‘Amr: He exhorts us to obey Allâh, the All-Mighty, the All-Glorious, be pious and maintain good ties with family kin; he forbids disobedience, aggression, adultery, wine, idolatry and devotion to the cross.

‘Abd: Maneno mazuri na imani nzuri ndizo unazoita. Natamani ndugu yangu angenifuata kumwamini Muhammad ﷺ na kuikiri dini yake, lakini ndugu yangu anaubakiza sana ufalme wake asije akawa mtumwa wa mtu. ‘Amr: Ikiwa ndugu yako atajisalimisha kwa Uislamu, Mtume ﷺ atampa mamlaka juu ya watu wake, na atachukua zakaat kutoka kwa matajiri ili ipewe wahitaji.

‘Abd: Fair words and fair beliefs are those you are calling for. I wish my brother would follow me to believe in Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and profess his religion, but my brother is too sparing of his kingship to become a subordinate. ‘Amr: Should your brother surrender himself to Islam, the Prophet would give him authority over his people and take alms tax from the wealthy people to be given to the needy.

‘Abd: Huo ni mwenendo wa haki. Lakini hii zakat unayoitaja ni nini?

‘Abd: That is fair behaviour. But what is this alms tax you have mentioned?.

'Amr: Ni amri ya Mwenyezi Mungu kwamba zakat itolewe kutoka kwa watu wenye uwezo walio na mali ya ziada, na igawanywe kwa maskini.

‘Amr: It is a Divine injunction that alms tax be taken from the well-to-do people who have surplus wealth and be distributed to the poor.

'Abd: Nina shaka kama hili linaweza kufanya kazi miongoni mwa watu wetu.

‘Abd: I doubt if this can work among our people.

‘Amr alikaa kwa siku kadhaa ili aruhusiwe kuingia kwenye mahakama ya Jaifer, hadi hatimaye akapewa kibali hiki. “Aliniomba nimkabidhi barua ili aisome. Baada ya hapo aliniuliza Quraish walilipokeaje jambo hilo, nami nikamjibu kwamba walimfuata, wengine kwa hiari yao wenyewe na wengine wakilazimishwa kwa mapigano ya kijeshi. Sasa watu wamechagua Uislamu badala ya imani nyingine, na wamefahamu kwa busara zao kwamba walikuwa wakipotea gizani. Hakuna isipokuwa wewe ambaye bado yuko nje ya eneo la Uislamu, kwa hiyo nakushauri uukubali Uislamu ili uweze kujipatia usalama wewe mwenyewe na nchi yako.”

‘Amr stayed for some days to be admitted into Jaifer’s court until he was finally granted this permit. “He asked me to hand him the letter to read it. After that he asked me how Quraish reacted and I answered that they had followed him, some out of their own freewill and others overpowered by military fighting. Now, people have chosen Islam in preference to other creeds, and have realized through their mental insight that they had been straying in darkness. None, except you, is now out of the domain of Islam, so I advise you to embrace Islam so that you can provide security to yourself and your country.”.

Hapa, aliniomba nimtembelee tena siku iliyofuata. Siku iliyofuata alionyesha kusita kunipokea, lakini ndugu yake, ‘Abd, alisihi, na nikapewa nafasi ya kumwona tena, lakini safari hii akasema nami kwa sauti ya vitisho na kiburi. Hata hivyo, baada ya mazungumzo ya faragha na ndugu yake na kutafakari upya hali yote, ndugu wote wawili wakaukubali Uislamu na kuthibitika kuwa waaminifu kwa Uislamu ambao ulikuwa umeanza kuenea katika eneo hili jipya.

Here, he asked me to call on him the following day. The following day he showed some reluctance in receiving me but his brother, ‘Abd, interceded and I was given the chance to see him again but this time to address me in a threatening arrogant tone. However, after a private talk with his brother and reconsidering the whole situation, both brothers embraced Islam and proved to be true to Islam that had begun to make its way into this new area.

Muktadha wa hadithi hii unaonyesha kwamba barua hii ilitumwa katika tarehe ya baadaye sana kuliko nyingine, pengine baada ya ushindi wa Makkah.

The context of this story reveals that this letter was sent at a much later date than the others, most likely after the conquest of Makkah.

Kupitia barua hizi, Mtume ﷺ aliweza kufikisha Ujumbe wake kwa wafalme wengi wa wakati huo; baadhi yao waliamini, huku wengine wakibaki wakaidi na kuendelea na ukafiri wao. Hata hivyo, wazo la kuukubali Uislamu, na kuja kwa Mtume mpya, liliwashughulisha wote.

Through these letters, the Prophet managed to communicate his Message to most monarchs at that time; some believed, while others remained obdurate and persisted in their disbelief. However, the idea of embracing Islam, and the advent of a new Prophet preoccupied all of them.

Haikuwa vita kamili, bali ilikuwa ni mapigano madogo dhidi ya kikosi cha Bani Fazarah. Mahali yalipofanyika yanajulikana kama Dhu Qarad, hifadhi ya maji iliyo umbali wa safari ya siku moja kutoka Madina. Kwa mujibu wa wanazuoni wengi, tukio hili lilitokea siku tatu kabla ya vita vya Khaibar. Imepokelewa kutoka kwa Salamah bin Al-Akwa‘, shujaa wa vita hii, kwamba Mtume wa Allah ﷺ alimtuma mtumishi wake aliyeajiriwa, Rabah, pamoja na ngamia zake kwenda kwenye malisho yaliyo karibu. Mimi nikachukua farasi wa Talhah na kwenda huko kwa lengo hilo hilo. Kulipopambazuka, ‘Abdur Rahman Al-Fazari alishambulia, akawakimbiza ngamia wote, na kumuua mtu aliyekuwa akiwachunga. Nilimwambia Rabah apande farasi, amchukue kwa Talhah na kumjulisha Mtume wa Allah ﷺ kwamba washirikina wameiba ngamia zake. Kisha nilisimama juu ya kilima kidogo, nikageuza uso wangu kuelekea Madina, nikapiga kelele mara tatu: “Njooni kutusaidia!” Baada ya hapo nilianza kuwafuatilia wavamizi, nikiwarushia mishale na kuimba shairi (la kujisifu):

It was in fact not a battle but rather a skirmish carried out against a platoon of Bani Fazarah. The place by which it was fought is known as Dhu Qarad, a reservoir of water at a day’s journey from Madinah. According to the majority of scholars, this incident took place three days before the battle of Khaibar. It has been narrated on the authority of Salamah bin Al-Akwa‘, the hero of this battle, that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) sent his hireling Rabah, with his camels to a nearby pasture. I, taking Talhah’s horse, went there for the same purpose. When the day dawned, ‘Abdur Rahman Al-Fazari made a raid, drove away all the camels, and killed the man who looked after them. I told Rabah to ride the horse, take it to Talhah and inform the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) that the polytheists had made away with his camels. Then I stood upon a hillock and turning my face to Madinah, shouted thrice: “Come to our help!” After that I set out in pursuit of the raiders, shooting at them with arrows and chanting (self-eulogatory) verse:

Kwa Allah, niliendelea kuwapiga mishale na kukata miguu ya nyuma ya wanyama wao. Kila mpanda farasi alipogeuka kunielekea, nilikuwa nakwenda kwenye mti na kujificha chini yake nikiwa nimekaa, nampiga mshale na kukata miguu ya nyuma ya farasi wake. Mwishowe waliingia kwenye njia nyembamba ya mlima. Nilipanda mlima huo na kuwazuia kwa kuwarushia mawe. Niliendelea kuwafuatilia namna hii hadi nikafanikiwa kuwakomboa ngamia wote, bila kumwacha hata mmoja wao pamoja nao. Walikimbia kila upande, nami nikiwafuata na kuwapiga mishale mfululizo, hadi wakaangusha zaidi ya mablanketi thelathini na mikuki thelathini, ili mizigo yao ipungue. Kwa kila kitu walichokiangusha, niliweka alama kwa jiwe ili Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ na Maswahaba wake wapate kukitambua (kwamba ni ngawira iliyoachwa na adui). Waliendelea hadi walipofika kwenye bonde jembamba. Wakaketi kula kitu, nami nikaketi juu ya jiwe lililochongoka. Wanne kati yao walipanda mlima wakija kunielekea. Walipokuwa karibu vya kutosha kunisikia, nilipiga kelele: “Mnanitambua?” Wakasema: “Hapana. Wewe ni nani?” Nikasema: “Mimi ni Salamah mwana wa Al-Akwa‘. Naweza kumuua yeyote kati yenu nitakayemtaka, lakini hakuna hata mmoja wenu atakayeweza kuniua.” Basi wakarudi. Sikuhama mahali pangu hadi nilipoona wapanda farasi wa Mjumbe wa Allah ﷺ, waliokuja wakipita kati ya miti. Aliyekuwa mbele yao alikuwa Akhram, nyuma yake alifuata Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari, kisha Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad. Akhram na ‘Abdur Rahman Al-Fazari walikutana vitani. Akhram alimkata miguu ya nyuma farasi wa ‘Abdur Rahman, lakini huyo alifanikiwa kumpiga kwa mkuki wake na kumuua. ‘Abdur Rahman akageuka akipanda farasi wa Akhram. Abu Qatadah, alipoona hili, alishiriki vita vikali na ‘Abdur Rahman, akampiga kwa mkuki wake, nao ukawa wa kuua. Washirikina kisha walikimbia, nami nikawa nawafuatilia hadi kabla ya jua kuzama walipofika kwenye bonde lenye chemchemi ya maji iitwayo Dhu Qarad. Wakapumzika pale ili wanywe maji. Lakini mimi, nikiwa nawafuatia kwa kasi, niliwatoa katika bonde kabla hawajapata hata tone moja la maji. Baadaye, Mtume ﷺ pamoja na Maswahaba zake walinifikia. Nikamwambia: "Ewe Mjumbe wa Allaah, niruhusu nichague kutoka kwa watu wetu wanaume mia moja, nami nitawafuata hao wavamizi na kuwamaliza." Mtume ﷺ akajibu, akisema: "Ibn Al-Akwa', umechukua vya kutosha, sasa ni wakati wako wa kuonyesha moyo wa msamaha; sasa wamefika katika makazi ya Ghatfan, ambako wanakaribishwa kwa karamu." Akaongeza kusema: "Mpanda farasi wetu bora leo ni Abu Qatadah, na mkimbiaji wetu bora leo ni Salamah." Akanipa sehemu mbili za ngawira - sehemu ya mpanda farasi na sehemu ya mtembea kwa miguu - akazikusanya zote mbili kwa ajili yangu. Alipokusudia kurudi Madinah, aliniamuru nipande nyuma yake kwenye ngamia wake wa kike aliyeitwa Al-'Adba'.

By Allâh, I continued shooting at them and hamstringing their animals. Whenever a horseman turned upon me, I would come to a tree (hid myself) sitting at its base, shoot at him and hamstring his horse. At last they entered a narrow mountain gorge. I ascended that mountain and held them at bay throwing stones at them. I continued to chase them in this way until I got all the camels released with no one left with them. They fled in all directions and I following and shooting at them continually until they dropped more than thirty mantles and thirty lances, lightening their burden. On everything they dropped, I put a mark with a stone so that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) and his Companions might recognize them (that it was booty left by the enemy). They went on until they came to a narrow valley. They sat down to eat something, and I sat on the top of a tapering rock. Four of them ascended the mountain coming towards me. When they were near enough to hear me, I shouted: “Do you recognize me?” They said: “No. Who are you?” I said: “I am Salamah son of Al-Akwa‘. I can kill anyone of you I like but none of you can kill me.” So they returned. I did not move from my place until I saw the horsemen of the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him), who came riding through the trees. The foremost among them was Akhram, behind him was Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari followed by Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad. Akhram and ‘Abdur Rahman Al-Fazari met in combat. Akhram hamstrung ‘Abdur Rahman’s horse but the latter managed to strike him with his lance and kill him. ‘Abdur Rahman turned around riding Akhram’s horse. Abu Qatadah, seeing this, got engaged in fierce combat with ‘Abdur Rahman, smote him with his lance and it was fatal. The polytheists consequently fled away and I was in their pursuit until before sunset they reached a valley with a spring of water called Dhu Qarad. They rested there to have a drink. I however, running in hot pursuit, turned them out of the valley before they could drink a drop of water. Later on, the Prophet (Peace be upon him), along with his Companions, overtook me. I addressed him saying: Messenger of Allâh, let me select from our people one hundred men and I will follow the marauders and finish them. In reply, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Ibn Al-Akwa‘, you have taken enough and so now you have to show magnanimity; now they have reached the habitation of Ghatfan where they are being feted.” He added saying: “Our best horseman today is Abu Qatadah, and our best footman today is Salamah.” He allotted me two shares of the booty - the share meant for the horseman and the other meant for the footman, and combined both of them for me. Intending to return to Madinah, he made me mount behind him on his she-camel called Al-‘Adba’.

Al-Bukhâri, on the authority of Ibn Abbas, narrated that Hercules sent for Abu Sufyan and his companions, who happened to be trading in Ash-Sham, Jerusalem. That was during the truce that had been concluded between the polytheists of Quraish and the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him). Hercules, seated amongst his chiefs of staff, asked, “Who amongst you is the nearest relative to the man who claims to be a Prophet?” “I (Abu Sufyan) replied: ‘I am the nearest relative to him from amongst the group.’ So they made me sit in front of him and made my companions sit behind me. Then he called upon his translator and said (to him). ‘Tell them (i.e. Abu Sufyan’s companions) that I am going to ask him (i.e. Abu Sufyan) regarding that men who claims to be a Prophet. So if he tells a lie, they should contradict him (instantly)’. By Allâh had I not been afraid that my companions would consider me a liar, I would have told lies”, Abu Sufyan later said. Abu Sufyan’s testimony went as follows: “Muhammad descends from a noble family. No one of his family happened to assume kingship. His followers are those deemed weak with numbers ever growing. He neither tells lies nor betrays others, we fight him and he fights us but with alternate victory. He bids people to worship Allâh Alone with no associate, and abandon our fathers’ beliefs. He orders us to observe prayer, honesty, abstinence and maintain strong family ties.” “Hercules, on hearing this testimony, turned to his translator bidding him to communicate to us his following impression which reveals full conviction in the truthfulness of Muhammad’s Prophethood: ‘I fully realize that Prophets come from noble families; he does not affect any previous example of Prophethood. Since none of his ancestors was a monarch, we cannot then allege that he is a man trying to reclaim his father’s monarchy. So long as he does not tell lies to people, he is for the more reason, immune to telling lies as regards Allâh. Concerning his followers being those deemed weak with numbers ever growing, it is something that goes in agreement with questions of Faith until this latter assumes its full dimensions geographically and demographically. I have understood that no instance of apostasy has as yet appeared among his followers, and this points to the bliss of Faith that finds its abode in the human heart. Betrayal, as I see, is alien to him because real Prophets hold betrayal in . Bidding worship of Allâh with no associates, observance of prayer, honesty and abstinence and prohibition of paganism are traits bound to subject to him all my possessions. I have already known that a Prophet must arise but it has never occurred to me that he will be an Arab from among you. If I was sure I would be faithful to him, I might hope to meet him, and if I were with him, I would wash his feet.’ Hercules then requested that the Prophet’s letter be read. The observations of the emperor and finally the definite and clear-cut exposition of the Islamic message could not but create a tense atmosphere amongst the clergy present at the court. We were ordered to go out.” Abu Sufyan said, “While coming out, I said to my companions, ‘The matter of Ibn Abi Kabshah [i.e. Muhammad (Peace be upon him)] has become so prominent that even the king of Banu Al-Asfar (i.e. the Romans) is afraid of him.’ So I continued to believe that Allâh’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) would be victorious, till Allâh made me embrace Islam.” The king did not embrace Islam — for it was differently ordained. However, the Muslim envoy was returned to Madinah with the felicitations of the emperor.

Awamu ya Pili

AWAMU MPYA YA HATUA ZA KIISLAMU

MIPANGO YA NABII KUENEZA UJUMBE WA UISLAMU NJE YA ARABIA

1. Ujumbe Kwenda Abyssinia (Ethiopia):

2. Barua kwa Mtawala Mwakilishi wa Misri, aitwaye Muqawqas:

3. Barua kwa Kisra, Mfalme wa Uajemi:

4.Mjumbe kwa Kaisari, Mfalme wa Roma:

5. Barua kwa Mundhir bin Sawa, Gavana wa Bahrain:

6. Barua kwa Haudha bin ‘Ali, Gavana wa Yamama:

7. Barua kwa Harith bin Abi Shamir Al-Ghassani, Mfalme wa Damascus:

8. Barua kwa Mfalme wa Oman, Jaifer, na ndugu yake ʿAbd al-Jalandi:

MASHAMBULIZI BAADA YA HUDAYBIYAH: UVAMIZI WA DHU QARAD